ERP Case Study: Complete Migration of a Photo Laboratory
See how an erp system transformed a photo lab's operations with seamless migration, improved efficiency and real business results
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A next-generation ERP System to simplify, unify, and accelerate production
With more than 70 years of history, this photo laboratory has become a market leader. However, its teams struggled with an outdated, custom ERP system that had evolved into a technical burden.
The system was fragmented across tools such as Monday, Filemaker Pro, symfony 1.0 PHP business app, etc..., difficult to maintain, and costly. The consequences were data silos, manual tasks, fragmented business processes, and increasing operational inefficiency.
The leadership team made a bold choice: migrate to a cloud ERP using a low-code approach. The goal was to centralize data, optimize business software processes, and improve efficiency across departments.
With an ERP system, organizations gain real-time visibility, better data security, and improved collaboration across departments.
Enterprise Resource Planning systems definition
Defining ERP software means understanding its role in enterprise resource management.
- Data reliability: ERP systems ensure that sensitive information is centralized and protected.
- Process simplification: It eliminates duplication, manual tasks, and administrative burden.
- Unified tools: Employees use a single business software suite tailored to their daily needs.
ERP software is therefore more than a tool it is the core of enterprise resource planning systems.
Contexte
The legacy ERP had critical weaknesses:
- Scattered, unreliable data across departments
- Fragile planning systems dependent on external ERP providers
- High maintenance costs and slow adaptation to market changes
For growing businesses, such ERP difficulties create risks and limit future growth.
Solution
The ERP integration brought measurable benefits:
- Replaced Monday and fragmented tools with integrated ERP software
- Centralized information in a multi-entity ERP system
- Implemented real-time dashboards with Power BI
- Improved collaboration across departments
- Lowered operational costs while empowering employees
Why not choose a standard ERP system?
The company considered major ERP providers:
- SAP ERP – too rigid and expensive
- Oracle ERP – powerful but complex and costly
- Sage ERP – only manages finances
- Odoo ERP – too generic for specific needs
- Dynamics 365 - costly, and not performant
Free ERP tools were also rejected due to security issues and lack of customization.
Instead, the lab selected a cloud-based low-code ERP, providing both flexibility and compliance with ERP best practices.
ERP Case Study: Approach & architecture
The ERP implementation followed a clear approach:
- Retool: Built user-friendly interfaces for employees
- Supabase: Secured data migration and storage across multiple entities
- Power BI: Delivered predictive analytics, real-time KPIs, and actionable insights
This hybrid ERP approach balanced performance, simplicity, and cost management.
ERP Implementation & Results
Within 9 months, the lab shifted:
- From disparate ERP applications → to a single ERP suite
- From manual tasks → to automated, real-time workflows
- From dependency on external providers → to self-sufficient teams
The ERP solution improved operational efficiency, data accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Key Business Benefits of ERP Systems : The Photo Lab Case
The lab achieved:
- Lower operational costs through automation
- Increased employee satisfaction with intuitive software
- Improved customer relationship management
- Reliable, real-time financial data
ERP systems turned into a strategic tool for supply chain optimization, finance, and quality control.
ERP Case Study: An inspiring success
This ERP case study highlights how ERP software transforms organizations: from outdated legacy systems to modern cloud ERP solutions.
It demonstrates the benefits of ERP systems: better data management, reduced costs, and improved collaboration across business units.
Conclusion
This ERP case study proves that ERP systems are not only business software—they are strategic enablers for growth, customer engagement, and operational efficiency.
FAQ
What does ERP stand for?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. It integrates all business processes into one system, improving efficiency and decision-making.
What is the difference between ERP and CRM?
ERP systems manage finance, supply chain, and operations, while CRM focuses on customer interactions and sales. Many ERP systems integrate CRM features.
What does ERP software do for businesses?
ERP software automates workflows, secures data, improves planning, and reduces costs across multiple departments.
How long does ERP implementation take?
It varies depending on the company size. In this ERP case study, the migration was completed in 9 months.
What are ERP solutions and products?
ERP solutions include systems like SAP ERP, Oracle ERP, NetSuite ERP, and low-code ERP platforms.
What is SAP ERP?
SAP ERP is one of the leading enterprise resource planning systems used by companies worldwide for managing business operations and customer relations.
